SHILLONG: The ever rising price of petrol and diesel in the country including Meghalaya has not gone down well with the people of Shillong who want the Central Government to take measures to reduce the price of these fuels.
As Shillong too has been hit hard by steeping prices of petrol, there are growing discontentment among the people and they have called for urgent steps to address the issue.
As on date, petrol is sold in Meghalaya for Rs 73.28 per litre and Diesel at a record price of Rs 64.53 a litre.
While the meters calculating the amount is increasing, the display meter of the number of litres poured is decreasing.
A group of reporters on Monday spoke to some people and sought their reaction over the increasing petrol prices.
A two- wheeler rider refueling his scooty near the Fire Brigade petrol pump said it was the hard earned money of people and increase in the prices be it at paise or rupees definitely take a toll on the common man.
“The increasing petrol prices is making life difficult for us as we have to travel to and fro on a daily basis,” the rider said.
Echoing similar sentiments, yet another individual queuing up for his turn to refuel, said, “I wonder will the price ever go down or at least stop the climb. The central government should take a look at it as it is making our life difficult”.
Pump manager, Lamphrang Warjiri said while admitting that the prices have shot up however said that the petrol pumps have no say in fixing the prices of the petrol
He, however added that there was no adverse effect to the business.
It may be mentioned that the Oil Ministry had earlier this year sought a reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel to cushion the impact of rising international oil rates. India has the highest retail prices of petrol and diesel among South Asian nations as taxes account for half of the pump rates.
It may be recalled that crude oil prices had plummeted in the period mid-2014 to mid-2016. But, since July 1 last year, global crude oil prices shot up by 47 per cent, which resulted in your fuel bills soaring.